God meets you at the bottom
by JON HUIZENGA
River Rock Church
Jesus begins his famous “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7) with the words, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Next comes “Blessed are those who mourn”, then “blessed are the meek”, and then “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”. All four of these opening “blesseds” are for people who don’t have the resources to make it happen. They don’t have the ability or power to make life work. They need help. Jesus points out that God stands with them.
We would never say these are blessed from our culture’s perspective. We would say, “blessed are the celebrities” (for they get to walk the red carpet), or “blessed are the wealthy” (for they eat regularly at fancy restaurants), or “blessed are the healthy” (for they have killer abs). Let’s be honest. If you don’t have the resources to make it happen, we don’t think you are blessed.
So why does Jesus say they are blessed? Because, there is blessing in being at the end of yourself. In fact, from Jesus’ perspective, the person who is not blessed is the person who says,” Thanks, but no thanks, God. I’ve got it covered. I can handle it.”
Are you feeling like you have come to the end of your ability or resources? Then God has you just where he wants you. You are ready to ask him for help. In fact, you might have a bunch of money and still be in that end-of-your-resources position. We are ready to cry out to God when we realize we can’t do it without him.
God meets us at the bottom. As the Bible says, “But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Want to talk about it? Feel free to email me – jonhuiz@iserv.net
God meets you at the bottom
by JON HUIZENGA
River Rock Church
Jesus begins his famous “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7) with the words, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Next comes “Blessed are those who mourn”, then “blessed are the meek”, and then “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”. All four of these opening “blesseds” are for people who don’t have the resources to make it happen. They don’t have the ability or power to make life work. They need help. Jesus points out that God stands with them.
We would never say these are blessed from our culture’s perspective. We would say, “blessed are the celebrities” (for they get to walk the red carpet), or “blessed are the wealthy” (for they eat regularly at fancy restaurants), or “blessed are the healthy” (for they have killer abs). Let’s be honest. If you don’t have the resources to make it happen, we don’t think you are blessed.
So why does Jesus say they are blessed? Because, there is blessing in being at the end of yourself. In fact, from Jesus’ perspective, the person who is not blessed is the person who says,” Thanks, but no thanks, God. I’ve got it covered. I can handle it.”
Are you feeling like you have come to the end of your ability or resources? Then God has you just where he wants you. You are ready to ask him for help. In fact, you might have a bunch of money and still be in that end-of-your-resources position. We are ready to cry out to God when we realize we can’t do it without him.
God meets us at the bottom. As the Bible says, “But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Want to talk about it? Feel free to email me – jonhuiz@iserv.net
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